“We knew we wanted ‘Sweet City Woman,’ but the label was up and down about releasing it because of the banjo.”

Sweet City Woman

Year Inducted: 2006

Written In: 1971

Songwriters

Rich Dodson
Songwriter

Artists

The Dave Clark Five

Lawrence Welk

Taxi

Johnny Carver

Tompall and The Glazer brothers

Until December 1976, Rich Dodson was lead guitarist, vocalist and a major force behind the success of the Calgary rock trio, The Stampeders.

In 1971, the release of his composition “Sweet City Woman” propelled the Stampeders to the top of the charts and on their way to becoming a household name in Canada. News of heavy airplay and vibrant record sales soon reached U.S. record label Bell Records, who immediately signed the band and released their single in America. The songs overwhelming success prompted the label to rename their U.S. LP “Sweet City Woman”. Soon “Sweet City Woman” went on to sell over 3 million copies worldwide reaching number one in Canada and garnering a top #5 position on the U.S. Billboard chart.

In the same year, The Stampeders would go on to win four Juno Awards with the “Composer Of The Year ” going to Rich Dodson for “Sweet City Woman”. Little did The Stampeders know that their Top 10 classic would soon become one of the most recognizable songs of the 70’s.

Soon their international hit would make The Stampeders top concert draw in Canada and take them around the world playing to enthusiastic crowds in the U.S., South America and Europe, making them one of the first Canadian bands to tour extensively overseas.

In 1992, to the delight of their fans, the original Stampeders, Rich Dodson – guitar, Kim Berly drums and Ronnie King bass reunited and began touring.

In 1993, Rich Dodson had the honor of being inducted into the SOCAN Hall Of Fame.

In addition, along with fellow band members Kim Berly and Ronnie King, Rich was inducted into the Western Canada Hall of Fame, The Alberta Recording Association Hall of Fame and a winner of the prestigious Edison Award in Holland.

Today, Rich Dodson still tours with The Stampeders and remains active as a songwriter, producer and recording engineer at his recording studio/ record label Marigold Productions.

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Sweet City Woman (Rich Dodson) - performed by the Stampeders with Doc Walker

"Sweet City Woman" was performed by Canadian rock trio The Stampeders and Manitoba country music group Doc Walker at the 2006 CSHF Induction Ceremony.

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